President William Ruto and governors have highlighted progress made through closer cooperation between the National and County Governments, saying stronger intergovernmental partnerships are helping accelerate development across Kenya.
Speaking during a consultative meeting in Naivasha, Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi said the journey of devolution continues to demonstrate what can be achieved when the two levels of government work together rather than in confrontation.
President Ruto reaffirmed the importance of partnership between the National and County Governments in advancing Kenya’s development agenda.
According to the Council of Governors, cooperation between the two levels of government has strengthened over the past four years, with joint programmes delivering results in health, agriculture, water, climate action, trade, infrastructure and industrialisation.
In the health sector, more than 100,000 Community Health Promoters have been deployed through a 50:50 financing arrangement, while 277 Primary Healthcare Networks have been established.
The Council also pointed to the implementation and adoption of the Facility Improvement Financing Act, which it said has helped increase revenue generated by health facilities.
The two levels of government are also working to strengthen digital health systems and expand access to specialised medical services through the National Equipment Service Programme, with all 47 counties now signed onto the initiative.
In agriculture, more than 7.2 million farmers have been registered through a digital system designed to facilitate access to subsidised agricultural inputs.
County governments have also established last-mile distribution centres as part of joint efforts to strengthen agricultural extension services, food production and value chains.
The partnership has further extended to industrialisation, with 34 counties developing County Aggregation and Industrial Parks.
The allocation of KSh4.7 billion towards equipping completed parks is expected to support their operationalisation while creating opportunities for value addition, investment, enterprise development and employment within counties.
The Council of Governors also highlighted improvements in county financing, noting that the shareable revenue allocation to counties has increased by more than KSh60 billion over the past four years.
President Ruto further noted that the National Treasury has disbursed all allocations to counties before the end of every financial year since 2023.
The Council said the developments demonstrate the importance of aligning priorities, pooling resources and adopting shared implementation frameworks between the two levels of government.
As Kenya enters what the Council described as the next phase of devolution, governors are calling for greater cooperation, completion of the transfer of devolved functions and stronger county financing.
The Council said the focus should remain on building partnerships that translate development priorities into tangible services and opportunities for citizens across the country.
The consultative meeting in Naivasha comes as national and county leaders continue discussions on strengthening devolution and improving coordination in the delivery of government programmes.
